Backing Storage Media
| Media |
Use |
| Magnetic Backing Storage |
|
| Fixed Hard discs |
Store Operating systems, software and working data. Applications that require fast access to reading and writing. Used in file servers for computers networks. Not for applications which need portability. |
| Portable hard discs |
Store very large files, which portability. More expensive than other forms of removable media. |
| Magnetic tapes |
Application which requires extremely large storage capacity and speed is not an issue. It uses serial access for reading and writing. Used for backup files servers for computers. Used for reading bank cheques, payroll processing and general stock control. |
| Optical Backing Storage |
|
| CD ROM/ DVD ROM |
Applications which require prevention of deleting data, accidental or not. Used by software companies, music companies, and book publishers to distribute their product. |
| CD R/DVD R |
Apps that need a single burning of data. CDs for recording music, internet downloads, recording of backup purposes. DVDs for recording films and television programs. |
| CD RW/DVD RW |
Apps that require the updating of information and ability to record over old data. Useful for keeping generations of files. DVDs have more capacity than CDs (5 to 10 time) |
| DVD RAM |
Same properties ad DVD RW, but it is quicker in the access to data and can be overwritten more easily. Similar to floppies but have 3000 – 6000 more capacity. |
| Blu-ray |
It has several capacities of 25 Gb, 50 Gb and 100 Gb. Used for storing movies. 25 Gb has 2hrs. of HDTV, 13hrs. of standard TV. It is possible to playback a video while recording in HD. |
| Solid state backing storage |
|
| Memory Sticks/Pen drives |
Can store up to many Gb of data, used to transport files and backup data from computer to computer. |
| Flash Memory cards |
Used in digital cameras, palmtops, mobile phones and MP3 players. |